I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

June 17, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 90, 125
Numbers 3:1-13
Galatians 6:11-18
Matthew 17:1-13

II. Selections
Psalms 90:3-4
You turn us back to dust,
and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.

Numbers 3:5-6
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, so that they may assist him.

Galatians 6:15
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!

Matthew 17:12b
" ...So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands." [ Jesus, to Peter, James, and John]

III. Meditation: All in your time

O God-in whose sight a thousand years
are like yesterday when it is past,
like a watch in the night-
you create us from dust,
and turn us back to dust.

In the old creation, Levites were appointed
to serve Aaron and his descendants.
Suffering under the hands of the old creation,
the Son of Man came to serve us all,
and bring a new creation.

And now we trust
that back to dust
in your good time
is penultimate,
not ultimate.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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